Table type of motor operated kinesitherapy device



Sept. 13, 1955 Filed Aug. 22, 1952 0. K. MURPHY TABLE TYPE OF MOTOR OPERATED KINESITHERAPY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 92 fifl ?i f 1419-2 IN VEN TOR.

p 13, 1955 0. K. MURPHY TABLE TYPE OE MOTOR OPERATED KINESITHERAPY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fileo. Aug. 22, 1952 /7 C9 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent TABLE TYPE 0F MGTOR GPERATED KINESITHERAPY DEVIKIE Owen K. Murphy, Adamsville, Pa.

Application August 22, 1952, Serial No. 305,845

9 Claims. (Cl. 128-33) This invention relates to a table type of motor operated kinesitherapy device and more particularly to a simple and durable device of this character with an applicator having gyratory motion and which can be effectively used for treatments of the human body sitting or reclining upon the same.

As hereinafter more fully described the present invention is concerned with such a device having a motor operated gyrator and which device is in the form of a bench or table upon which a person can sit or recline. In such appliances heretofore made, considerable difficulty has been experienced in providing an instrument which is simple, rugged and highly effective. Because of the gyratory motion, the bearings of the motor are particularly susceptible to destructive action, and undue wear in these parts leads to other failures. In the device embodying the present invention a novel and simple construction is provided for mounting the entire motor unit as an entity, and with a measure of resiliency or freedom of movement which eliminates the cause of failure and at the same time provides a motion or action having both a pleasing and a therapeutic effect.

Accordingly one of the objects of the present inven tion is to provide such a motor operated bench or table type of kinesitherapy device which will operate without change in characteristics for a long period of time and which has both a pleasing and a therapeutic effect.

Another object is to provide such a device which is composed of simple and low cost parts that can readily be put together.

Another object is to provide such a device which is readily accessible for servicing or repairs.

Another object is to provide such a device which is entirely comfortable to sit or recline upon and at the same time effectively transmits gyratory motion to the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can be adjusted to different lengths to suit the use to which it is being put and in which the end extensions by which such length adjustment is secured are also effective in transmitting gyratory movement to the part of the body reclining thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an extensible table or bench type of device in which either end extension by which such adjustment is achieved can be elevated above the level of the central table top of the device thereby to provide an inclined head board which renders the use of the device more comfortable.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is in the form of a pleasing and attractive piece of furniture and which harmonizes with the other furnishings of the room in which it is placed.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the effect of the gyrator can be adjusted by manual adjustment of the motor speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which includes a timer which will stop the gyrator after the lapse of the time for which it has been set.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device in which the operating parts are substantially concealed and in which its functioning as a therapeutic device is not apparent to a casual observer except upon careful study.

' Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a bench or table type motor operated kinesitherapy device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1 and looking upwardly, part of the bottom cloth being broken away to disclose the operating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken generally on line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken generally along line 44, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the cushioned table top of the device and showing the motor operated gyrator in elevation.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6, Fig. 5.

In the form of the invention illustrated the numeral 19 represents an electric motor having a generally cylindrical casing 11 and a motor shaft 12. A fan 13 is mounted on each end of the motor shaft 12, the blades 14 of this fan being shaped to move air longitudinally through the casing 11 of the electric motor for the purpose of cooling the same. The fan includes a hub 15 from which its blades 14 radiate, and screwed into the fan hub 15 is a screw 16 which projects radially and has a head 17 at its outer end. One or more weights 18 are carried by the screw 16, these weights being preferably of washerlike form and held against the screw head 17 by a lock nut 19. The screw 16 and its weights 18 provide an eccentric weight on the motor shaft 12 which tends to gyrate the motor shaft and the motor as a function of its operation.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a pair of rubber rings 20 surrounding each of the opposite ends of the motor casing 11. These rings are preferably cementitiously secured to the motor casing to provide soft, resilient radial cushioning extensions of the motor casing.

The supporting framework of the device, indicated generally at 21, includes four wooden legs 22 each of which rests upon a sponge rubber pad 23 these pads therefore forming soft resilient cushion elements. These legs are preferably of square form in cross section and the upper end of each includes an inwardly offset upward extension 24 forming a shoulder 25 on which front and rear upper main longitudinal side frame bars 26 and 28 rest. These longitudinal side frame bars 26, 28 can be secured to the upward extensions 24 of the legs in-any suitable manner. The legs are also preferably connected about midway of their height by a panel 29 which can be set into and secured to each of the legs 22 in any suitable manner, this panel serving as a convenient support for other articles. The supporting frame 21 also includes upper cross bars 30 which upper cross bars rest on the shoulders 25 of the legs and are suitably secured to the upper extensions 24 of these legs. Preferably wooden triangular blocks 31 rest upon the corners formed and are secured to the upper sides of the cross bars 30 at each end thereof and also abut against and are secured to the longitudinal side frame bars 26, 28. It will be noted that the longitudinal side frame bars 26, 28 extend above the triangular corner blocks 31 as well as above the upward extensions 24 of the legs and the cross bars 30 as best shown in Fig. 3.

The device is provided with a cushioned table top which is resiliently supported by the framework 21 as above described and which is gyrated by the motor driven gyrator also as above described. This cushioned top, indicated generally at 35, has a bottom wooden panel 36 which is of rectangular form in plan and which is of a width slightly less than the space between the longitudinal sideframe bars 26, 28 so as to be capable of being set between these longitudinal side frame bars out of contact therewith. This wooden panel is also preferably of a length somewhat less than the length of the longitudinal side frame bars 26, 28 so that these longitudinal side frame bars project beyond the cushioned top 35 at the opposite ends thereof. The top panel 36 is faced with a pad 33 of sponge rubber or the like and this pad 38 is faced with a flexible cover 39 of leather, fabric or other natural or synthetic flexible covering materials. The edges of the cover 39 are preferably folded down the sides of the sponge rubber pad 38 and wooden panel 36 and are preferably folded under and secured, as by tacks 46, to the underside of the wooden panel 36.

The cushioned table top 35 is resiliently secured to the frame structure 21 and for this purpose, above each triangular corner block 31 of the supporting frame 21, the bottom panel 36 of the cushioned table top 35 is provided with a recess 41. Each triangular corner block 31 of the supporting frame 21 is provided with a companion upwardly opening recess 42 which opposes a corresponding recess 41. In each pair of these recesses 41, 42 is arranged a soft, resilient rubber pad or cushion 43. Each pad 43 can be of any desired shape and these pads are shown as being in the form of oblong blocks. However, these pads or blocks 43 are preferably of horizontally elongated form and arranged to extend transversely of the device. By this arrangement of these blocks or pads 43 they facilitate movement of the cushioned table top 35 longitudinally but tend to impede such transverse movement thereof which would tend to bring the edges of the cushioned table top 35 into contact with the longitudinal side frame bars 26, 28 of the frame structure 21.

An important feature of the invention resides in each of these rubber blocks or pads 43 being held in compressive relation to the supporting structure 21 and the cushioned table top 35. For this purpose the upper end of a strap 45 is secured, as by screws 46, to the underside of the bottom panel 36 of the cushioned table top 35 at each corner thereof. Each strap 45 extends downwardly along the outer face of the corresponding cross bar and its lower end is secured to the underside of the adjacent end of this cross bar 30 as by'a screw 48. Each of the four straps 45 are under continual tension so as to impress a downward force on the cushioned table top and thereby hold the rubber blocks or pads 43 under compression.

It will be seen that the cushioned table top 35 is capable of gyratory movement with respect to the supporting frame 21, particularly in a direction lengthwise of the longitudinal side frame bars 26, 28. Such gyratory'movement is'provided by a gyrator as above described and for this purpose a flexible strap 49 of rubberized fabric or the like is secured to the underside of the wooden panel 36 at the center thereof. This strap extends lengthwise of the panel 36 and its ends are secured, as by transverse rows of screws 50, to the underside of this panel as best shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

A flat rectangular pad 51 of sponge rubber or the like is interposed between the central part of this strap 49 and the underside of the wooden bottom panel 36. This sponge rubber pad 51 is preferably cementitiously secured to the strap 49 and is held by the strap under compression against the underside of the wooden panel 36.

A wooden block 53 is arranged against the underside of the strap 49. The underside of this wooden block is provided with a semicircular central recess 54 adapted to receive the casing 11 of the motor 10. This semicircular recess 54 extends transversely of the cushioned table top 35 and is provided with a pair of arcuate recesses 55 which are arranged to receive the rubber rings 20 embracing the motor housing 11. A vertical tie bolt 56 extends downwardly through each end of this wooden block 53 and through the corresponding part of the strap 49, each of these bolts having a head 53 imbedded in the sponge rubber pad 51 and bearing against the upper face of the flexible strap 49. The lower ends of these tie bolts extend through the ends of a metal plate 59. These tie bolts 56 preferably extend through rubber grommets 60 provided in holes 61 in the plate 59 and each grommet 60 is supported by a washer 62, lock Washer 63 and nut 64 at the lower threaded end of each of the tie bolts 56. The central part 65 of the metal plate 59 is curved to conform to the undersides of the rubber rings 20 which embrace the motor housing ll and the nuts 64 are tightened to hold these rubber rings under compressive relation with the motor casing 11 and the block 53 and plate 59.

The device of the present invention is longitudinally extensible to suit the use of the device and also to render it a more compact piece of furniture when not in use. For this purpose the cushioned extension leaves, indicated generally at 66, are hinged to each end of the cushioned table top 35. Each of these leaves 66 comprises a wooden bottom panel 67 provided with an upper facing 68 of sponge rubber or the like. The sponge rubber facing 68 and the edges of each wooden panel 67 are covered by a facing 69 of leather, fabric or other natural or synthetic facing material. The edges 70 of this cover preferably extend under the wooden panel 67 and are secured thereto as by tacks 71. A hinge 72 has one leaf 73 extending slightly short of the full width of the bottom panel 36 at each end thereof and is preferably recessed into this bottom panel and is secured thereto as by a row of screws 74. The other leaf 75 of this hinge is preferably of the same length as the leaf 73 and is recessed into the underside of the corresponding wooden panel 67 and secured thereto as by a row of screws 76.

The knuckles of the hinge are preferably concealed, in the inoperative or vertical position of the leaves 66 by a strip 78 of flexible material the edges of which are preferably secured to the undersides of the wooden panels 36 and 67, respectively.

Each cushioned leaf 66 is adapted to be supported in a generally horizontal operative position. For this purpose a metal channel bar 80 is secured at its center by a pivot bolt 81 to the leaf 73 of each of the hinges 72. As best shown in Fig. 4 each pivot bolt 81 has its head imbedded in the wooden bottom panel 36 of the cushioned table top 35 and a spacing washer 82 is interposed between the top of each channel bar 39 and the hinge leaf 73. For access to the nut 83 of each bolt 81 this nut is preferably spaced from the cross part of the channel bar by spacing washers 84 and 85. Each end of each channel bar 80 is also preferably encircled by a rubber band 86.

In order to extend either end of the cushioned table top 35 the corresponding leaf 66 is swung upwardly to a horizontal position. Its channel bar 30 is then swung about the pivot bolt 81 to a position in which it extends lengthwise of the device. In this position one of its rubber bands 86 engages the underside of the wooden bottom panel 36 of the cushioned table top 35 and its other rubber band 36 engages the underside of the wooden panel 67 of the leaf 66. Accordingly it will be seen that each leaf 66 can be supported in a generally horizontal position as shown by full lines in the figures thereby to increase the effective length of the device.

When so extended the device is adapted to support the full length of a person reclining on top of the cushioned table top 35 and the two extended leaves 66. If

the person desires to have one of the leaves 66 inclining upwardly beyond a horizontal position so as to provide an inclined head rest, the person can lift that leaf 66 to the desired position and insert some object, such as a magazine 87, between the underside of the wooden panel 67 of this leaf and the rubber ring 86 thereunder. It will be seen that this provides a head rest which can be inclined, within limits, to the angle desired by the person using the device.

The electrical circuit for the motor includes a rheostat 88 and a timer 89 both mounted on a control panel 90 secured, as by screws 91 to the longitudinal frame bar 26 and both of which electrical components have knobs exposed on the exterior of this panel. Its wire electric cord 92, forming the power line, also extends through this panel 90 and the motor 10, rheostat 88 and timer 89 are all connected in series as shown by the wiring, Fig. 2.

In order to protect the motor against dust and dirt and also to finish the underside of the device a piece of cloth 93 is preferably tacked at its edges, as indicated at 94, to the undersides of the longitudinal side bars 26 and 2S and cross bars 30 of the supporting frame 21 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

In the use of the device, it can be used as a bench without extending the leaves 66 or these leaves 66 can be extended to permit the user to recline full length. In order to extend the leaves 66, they are raised to a generally horizontal position and the channel bars 80 are swung about the pivot bolts 81 so as to extend longitudinally of the device. In this position the end rubber bands 86 of each channel bar 80 are disposed under the wooden panels 36 and 67 of the cushioned table top and leaves 66, respectively, and since these channel bars are pivoted at their centers by their pivot bolts 81 to the hinge leaves 73, the extension leaves 66 are supported in a horizontal position coplanar with the cushioned table top 35. If it is desired to raise either of the leaves 66 slightly higher to serve as a head rest the corresponding leaf 66 is raised slightly higher and some small object, such as a magazine 87, is inserted between this leaf 66 and the rubber band 86 thereunder, as illustrated at the left of Fig. 1.

After plugging in the cord 92 the operator sets the timer 89 to the number of minutes that treatment is desired. This automatically energizes the series circuit of this timer, the motor 10, and the rheostat 88. With the energization of the motor 10, its motor shaft 12 imparts a gyratory movement to this motor shaft as well as to the casing 11 of the motor. This motion is transmitted through the two rubber rings 20 around the motor casing to the wooden block 53 and metal plate 59 which are held in compressive relation with these rubber rings 20 by the tie bolts 56. This gyratory movement is also transmitted through tie bolts 56 to the flexible strap 49 and sponge rubber backing pad or cushion 51 to the wooden bottom panel 36 of the cushioned table top 35. It will be noted that the drive shaft 12 of the motor 10 is horizontal and extends transversely of the cushioned table top 35 so that the gyratory movement imparted to this cushioned table top 35 is essentially lengthwise of the device and not crosswise as might cause frictional engagement between the cushioned table top 35 and the longitudinal side frame bars 26, 28 of the supporting frame 21. Movement of the cushioned table top 35 under the influence of the gyratory movement of the motor casing 11 is permitted by the resilient mounting of each of the four corners of this cushioned table top 35 upon the supporting frame 21. Thus each corner of the cushioned top 35 is supported on the rubber pad 43, as illustrated in Fig. 3, upon the supporting frame 21 so as to permit such gyratory movement of the cushioned table top 35.

An important feature is that each of these rubber pads 43 is held under compression by means which also permit gyratory movement of the cushioned table top 35.

Thus it will be seen that the straps 45, Fig. 3, at each corner of the device hold the rubber pads 43 under compression and at the same time do not prevent gyratory movement of the cushioned table top 35 relative to the supporting framework 21.

Such gyratory impulses as are transmitted to the supporting framework 21 are not transmitted to the floor by virtue of the sponge rubber pads 23 upon which each of the four legs 22 of the supporting structure 21 are mounted. It will also be seen that since the extension leaves 66 are hinged by the hinges 72 to the ends of the cushioned table top 35 and since the channel bars form the supporting connection between the cushioned table top 35 and each of the extension leaves 66, the gyratory movement so imparted to the cushioned table top 35 is transmitted to each of its extension leaves 66. Accordingly all parts of the body of a person reclining upon the cushioned table top 35 and the extension leaves 66 are subjected to a deep gyratory action having both a pleasing and a therapeutic effect.

If the gyratory impulses are too mild or too violent, the user adjusts the rheostat 68. Since this rheostat is in series with the motor 10, such adjustment adjusts the speed of the motor 10 to provide the degree of gyratory action desired.

When the period for which the timer 89 expires, it breaks the series circuit through the motor 10 and rheostat 88 so as to deenergize the motor. The user can then swing the channel bars 30 to a position extending transversely of the device this permitting the extension leaves 66 to drop to a vertical position. In this position the knuckles of the hinges 72 are concealed by the strips 78 of covering material which preferably match the covering material 39 and 6% of the cushioned table top 35 and extension leaves 66.

Particularly as to the motor 1% and its mounting on the underside of the cushioned table top 35, it will be noted that this mounting includes the block 53 and motor holding member or plate 59 which are provided with opposing recesses, that a motor is disposed between these parts in fully spaced relation to the walls of said recesses and that this motor has a relatively stationary part and a rotary part and that the rotary part has a predetermined, mechanical, rotary unbalance of substantial amount well in excess of any accidental unbalance due to inaccuracy in manufacture. It will further be noted that in this motor mounting a plurality of soft, resilient cushion rings are provided in axially spaced relation around the stationary part of the motor and are interposed under stress between the stationary part and the recess walls to serve as the sole and floating support between the motor and the block 53 and plate 59 whereby rotation of the unbalanced rotary part of the rotor will cause a gyratory bodily movement of the motor in a relatively small, closedlooped path which is transmitted through the block 53 and strap and pad 49, 51 to the cushioned table top 35.

From the foregoing it will be seen that in addition to providing a bench or table-like kinesitherapy device, the present invention also provides an attractive piece of furniture, the more particularly in that the connections between the cushioned table top 35, together with its extension leaves 66, and the supporting structure 21 are concealed so that except for the presence of the control panel 90 the device has the appearance of a well designed bench rather than the appearance of a therapeutic device. It will further be seen that the subject of the present invention is of simple and rugged construction, particularly in the resilient mounting for the eccentric weighted electric motor on the underside of the cushioned table top 35 and in the resilient support for this cushioned table top 35 upon the supporting structure 21. It will also be seen that each of these resilient supports are maintained under compression in a manner which does not interfere with the effective gyratory movement of the cushioned table top 35. It will further be seen that the length of the cushioned table top 35 can be readily extended by the use of extension leaves 66 and that when extended these leaves are also gyrated with the cushioned table top 35. Also, as illustrated in Fig. 1, either of the extension leaves 66 can be inclined to provide an inclined head rest if the user so desires.

I claim:

1. A table type of therapeutic device, comprising a rigid supporting structure, a horizontal rigid table top above and substantially coextensive horizontally with said rigid supporting structure, a plurality of resilient mountings spaced around the edges of said table top and supporting said table top on said supporting structure and each comprising a soft, resilient cushion element interposed between said table top and supporting structure and a generally vertical freely flexible strap connecting said table top and supporting structure at each of a series of horizontally spaced intervals and secured under tension to hold the cushion elements under compression, a motor having a relatively stationary part and a rotary part journalled in said stationary part, said rotary part having a predetermined, mechanical, rotary unbalance of substantial amount well in excess of any accidental unbalance due to inaccuracy of manufacture, soft, resilient cushion elements interposed between said stationary part and said table top, and means maintaining said last cushion elements under compressed relation with said table top and stationary part of said motor, said last cushion elements serving as the sole and floating support between said table top and said stationary part of said motor, whereby rota tion of said rotary part of said motor will cause a gyratory movement of said motor in a relatively small, closed-loop path which is transmitted through said last cushion elements to said table top.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first cushion elements are horizontally elongated and arranged to extend parallel with one another, and wherein said rotary part of said motor rotates about an axis generally parallel with said first cushion elements.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first cushion elements is received in a pair of opposing recesses provided in said table top and supporting struc ture, respectively.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rigid supporting structure and table top are of rectangular horizontally elongated form, wherein said supporting structure includes legs, longitudinal top side bars and cross bars and with said longitudinal side bars extending above said cross bars, wherein said table top is interposed between the upper parts of said side bars and extends over i said cross bars, and wherein said freely flexible straps connect with opposite ends of said cross bars.

5. in a table type of therapeutic device, having a rigid supporting structure, a horizontal rigid table top above said supporting structure, and resilient means supporting 5 said table top on said supporting structure and permitting movement of said table top relative to said supporting structure, the combination therewith of means for gyrating said table top, comprising a block having a recess in its underside, means connecting said block with the underside of said table top, a motor supporting member arranged under said block and recessed on its upperside, generally vertical ties extending through opposite ends of said block and motor supporting member, means for adjusting the effective length of said ties, a motor interposed between said recesses in fully spaced relation to the walls thereof, said motor having a stationary part and a rotary part journalled in said stationary part, said rotary part having a predetermined, mechanical, rotary unbalance of substantial amount well in excess of any accidental unbalance due to inaccuracy of manufacture, and soft, resilient cushion elements interposed between said stationary part and said walls of said cavities, said cushion elements being held under compressive stress by said ties and serving as the sole and floating support between said motor and said block and motor supporting member, whereby rotation of said rotary part will cause a gyratory movement in a relatively small, closed-loop path which is transmitted through said Cushion elements to said table top.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means connecting said bloc-kwith the underside of said table top includes a flexible strap connected at its ends with said under side of said table top .and connected intermediate its ends with said'ties, and wherein a soft resilient cushion pad is interposed between the central part of said strap and said underside of said table top.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said motor holding member is in the form of a metal plate, and wherein said ties are in the form of tie bolts with nuts on their threaded lower ends and tightening against said metal plate.

8. In a table type of therapeutic device having a rigid supporting structure, a horizontal rigid table top member above said supporting structure, resilient means supporting said table top member on said supporting structure and permitting movement of table top member relative to said supporting structure, and amotor operated gyrator secured to said table top member and causing a gyratory movement of said table top member in a relatively small, closed-loop path, the combination therewith of means for extending the effective length of said table top member comprising a rigid end leai member, a horizontal hinge connecting one end edge of said table top member with an edge of said leaf member whereby said leaf member can swing to a pendent inoperative position, and means interposed between said table top member and leaf member and movable to support said leaf member in a generally horizontal position, comprising a bar pivoted near its center to the underside of tone of said members near said hinge to swing ina direction generally parallel with said underside to project one of its ends under the other of said members and a pad of soft, resilient cushioning material interposed between each end of said bar and the underside of the corresponding table top and leaf members.

9. In a table type of therapeutic device having a rigid supporting structure, a horizontal rigid table top member above said supporting structure, resilient means supporting said table top member on said supporting structure and permitting movement of table top member relative to said supporting structure, and a motor operated gyrator secured to said table top member and causing a gyratory movement of said table top member in a relatively small, closed-loop path, the combination therewith of means for extending the effective length of said table top member comprising a rigid end leaf member, a horizontal hinge connecting one end edge of said table top member with an edge of said leaf member whereby said leaf member can swing to a pendent inoperative position, and means interposed between said table top member and leaf member and movable to support said leaf member in a generally horizontal position, comprising a bar pivoted near its center to the underside of one of said members near said hinge and swingable in a direction generally parallel with said underside to project one of its ends under the other of said members, and a band of soft, resilient cushioning material embracing each end of said bar to engage the undersides of said table top and leaf members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 267,811 Townsend Nov. 21, 1882 1,643,399 Wentworth Sept. 27, 1927 2,425,655 Tompkins Aug. 12, 1947 2,448,162 Wettlaufer Aug. 31, 1948 

